For over 25 years Patricia Piccinini has interrogated the complex relationship between our natural and artificial worlds, beginning each creative project with a speculative question, a wondrous ‘What if…?’

Known internationally for her astonishing hyperrealism, Piccinini’s practice comprises drawing, photography, video, mixed-media painted compositions, large-scale installation, and includes the now iconic hot-air balloon Skywhales sculptures.

With the launch of Skywhales Across Australia on the Sunshine Coast scheduled for Sunday 4 May at dawn, this is the perfect opportunity to acquaint yourself with Patricia Piccinini, one of Australia's foremost contemporary artists.

Skywhales Across Australia is a National Gallery Touring Event, supported by the Australian Government through Visions of Australia and the National Collecting Institutions Touring Outreach Program. 

Skywhales is the third instalment of The Balnaves Contemporary Series and is a Know My Name project.

Skywhales Sunshine Coast is presented by Horizon in partnership with Caloundra Regional Gallery and UniSC.

Image: Patricia Piccinini, Skywhalepapa, 2020 and Skywhale, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Maitland launch, photographer credit Leighsha Cox, © Patricia Piccinini.